Birmingham Public Library Blog

  🌞 Don’t Miss the Final Week of BPL Summer Reading!  Summer may be winding down, but the fun isn’t over yet! The Birmingham Public Library’s 2025 Summer Reading series is entering its last week. There’s still time to jump into the adventure. Since June 1, BPL has hosted over 200 free programs across our 17 locations, proving once again that we’re about so much more than books. From storytimes and author talks to STEM labs, games, crafts, and movies, there’s been something for everyone. We’re not done yet! Check out this week’s highlights below (July 28–August 1), and mark your calendars to help us finish summer with a bang! 🌟 Weekly Highlights at BPL (July 28–August 1) 💻 Coding Club- North Avondale Branch Library 📅 Monday, July 28 | 🕙 3:00 PM–4:00 PM 📍 501 43rd Street North, Birmingham, AL 35215 📞 (205) 592-2082 🔗  Event details Discover the fun side of coding! In this hands‑on workshop, participants will create exciting projects using Scratch , learn ...

  📖   What: Adventures in Self-Healing Through Journaling 🗓️ When: Saturday, August 9, 2025 | 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. 📍   Where: Springville Road Regional Library, 1224 Springville Road, Birmingham, AL 35215 Birmingham, Ala. – Stress and emotional overwhelm can affect anyone - for kids navigating school bullies, working parents juggling responsibilities, or seniors facing life transitions. But what if healing began with something as simple as a pen and paper? Join local author Vallean Jackson at Springville Road Regional Library on Saturday, August 9, for Adventures in Self-Healing Through Journaling —an inspiring, interactive session rooted in the power of personal reflection and writing. Jackson will share the story behind her book, It’s Time to Unpack: A Self-Healing Journal , and guide participants through practical journaling exercises designed to spark self-awareness, emotional release, and healing. This free event will also include wellness tips, a Q&A ...

If you've ever felt the urge to pick up the mic and let your voice be heard,  Bards & Brews  is your stage. On  Friday, August 1 at 6:30 p.m. , the  Birmingham Public Library’s Central Library  transforms into a vibrant celebration of poetry, rhythm, and real community connection.  Whether you're a longtime fan of spoken word or a first-timer ready to share your voice, this  free open mic night  welcomes all. Even better: this August 1, Bards & Brews lands on  International Beer Day . So come raise a toast, enjoy a sample, and experience some of metro Birmingham’s most powerful voices in poetry. Event Details: 📍  Central Library | 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203 🎤  Featured Artist: Viktoria Vennice 🎙  Host: Thed Weller Back by popular demand,  Viktoria Vennice  will light up the mic with her dynamic style and soulful performance. A crowd favorite at Bards & Brews in March, Viktoria’s return promis...

Event: Summer of the Baby-Sitters Club at BPL 📅 When: Tuesday, August 12, 2025 🕟 Time: 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 📍 Where: Central Library, 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203 Calling all Baby-Sitters Club fans, past and present! The Birmingham Public Library and Books-A-Million invite you to join us for a special event featuring New York Times bestselling author and artist DK Yingst , as part of the Summer of the Baby-Sitters Club  celebration. This fun-filled afternoon at the Central Library will feature: A lively book chat with DK Yingst A live drawing demonstration A free mini sketchbook (while supplies last) An audience Q&A session And a book signing with the author! You can also pre-purchase books with your ticket for faster access at the event by clicking on this Eventbrite link:  https://summerofbscdkyingstbambham.eventbrite.com While tickets are not required to attend,  at least one book purchase is required to enter the signing line ...

Summer may be winding down, but the fun isn’t over yet! The Birmingham Public Library’s 2025 Summer Reading series is entering its final stretch, and there’s still time to join free programs happening across our 17 locations. From June 1 through July 31, we’ve brought Birmingham patrons of all ages an exciting lineup of events, proving once again that BPL offers far more than just book checkouts. And as we head into these last two weeks, we’re keeping the momentum going with crafts, story times, STEM fun, health fairs, and more. Check out this week’s spotlight (July 21–26) and mark your calendars to wrap up your summer reading adventure with us! 🌟 Weekly Highlights at BPL (July 21–26) 🧶 Summer Scavenger Hunt – Woodlawn Branch Library 📅 Monday–Friday, July 21–25 | 🕘 9:00 AM–6:00 PM 📍 5901 1st Ave. North, Birmingham, AL 35212 📞 (205) 595-2001 🔗Facebook: Woodlawn Branch Library 🔗 Event details here Explore the library, find hidden surprises, and discover new books alon...

  It’s summertime! S tart planning your next, once-in-a-lifetime adventure . I hope that you have saved up vacation hours for some well-earned time away from the office. Students should also take advantage of exploring another country before another busy school year starts back this fall. We may be a third of the way through the summer, but it is not too late to book your next trip. You can also get a head start in planning out all your vacations for next summer!     Before you book any flights or hotel reservations , make sure that you have your absolutely essential passport.    Apply for or renew your passport today at the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) to avoid packing any last-minute stress on your vacation.    The BPL is a Passport Acceptance Facility and has many passport acceptance agents available to help you navigate the application process.    You can start your passport application process at the Central Library , the ...